The upcoming MCIEF Leadership Conference promises to deliver powerful insights for trucking insurance leaders – and one of the most anticipated sessions just got even better.
We are thrilled to announce that Tommy Ruke, founder of MCIEF and one of the most influential educators in motor carrier insurance, will join Dean Croke, Chief Insights Officer at DAT Freight & Analytics, for a dynamic session exploring motor carrier insurance expectations for year-end 2025 and the forecast for 2026.
This session brings together two of the industry’s brightest minds—combining forward-looking data-driven analysis with decades of hands-on education and experience.
Why This Session Matters
The trucking insurance industry is experiencing unprecedented shifts – from litigation funding and evolving regulations to freight market uncertainty. Having Tommy Ruke and Dean Croke together on stage ensures attendees will gain both historical perspective and data-driven foresight – helping leaders prepare for what’s next.
This is a session you won’t want to miss. Join us at the MCIEF Leadership Conference, October 4–8, 2025, at the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale and be part of the conversation shaping the future of motor carrier insurance.
About Tommy Ruke
Known throughout the industry as “The Pickle Man!” and “The Kingpin!”, Tommy Ruke’s career spans more than four decades of leadership in trucking insurance. His roots in his family’s trucking gave him firsthand operational knowledge, which he later carried into the insurance sector.
Tommy became a pioneer in education, designing the first-ever trucking-focused curriculum for the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC), and later building the American Association of Managing General Agents (AAMGA) University.
His ultimate achievement was founding the Motor Carrier Insurance Education Foundation (MCIEF), an organization dedicated to advancing education, developing designations like the Transportation Risk Specialist (TRS), and ensuring that industry professionals have the tools to succeed. His contributions were honored with MCIEF’s highest recognition, the Jim Harrison Award, in 2023.
About Dean Croke
Dean Croke, Chief Insights Officer at DAT Freight & Analytics, is widely recognized for his unmatched expertise in freight market trends and data analysis. Known for translating complex data into actionable insights, Dean has become a trusted authority for executives, carriers, and insurers navigating the rapidly changing transportation landscape.
At the Leadership Conference, Dean will deliver a comprehensive outlook on the state of the motor carrier industry, highlighting insurance expectations for the end of 2025 and offering a forward-looking forecast for 2026. With his deep understanding of economics, freight demand cycles, and insurance dynamics, his session is always a highlight for decision-makers.